Abstract: George Hoshida (1907-1985) was incarcerated in Hawaii following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was separated from his family
for two years. This collection primarily consists of correspondence written by the Hoshida family while separated during World
War II. It also contains artwork created by Hoshida to document camp life, legal documents, government documents, and notes.

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from materials in this collection must be submitted to the Collections
Management and Access Unit (collections@janm.org).

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], George Hoshida papers. 96.117, Japanese American National Museum. Los Angeles, CA.

Acquisition Information

In 1996, led by daughters Sandra Hoshida and June Honma, George Hoshida’s family donated his sketchbooks and letters to the
permanent collection of the Japanese American National Museum.

Biography / Administrative History

George Hoshida (1907-1985) was born in Japan and immigrated to Hilo, Hawaii with his family in 1912. His formal education
ended when he graduated from junior high school, later earning his GED after the war. Hoshida began working for Hilo Electric
Company, married his wife Tamae, and started a family. He had four daughters: Taeko, June, Sandra, and Carole. Although he
professed little interest in international politics, Hoshida’s Buddhist faith coupled with his leadership in the temple and
interest in Judo led him to be classified as potentially dangerous by the government following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
He was arrested and incarcerated in Kilauea Military Camp. Over the next two years Hoshida would be transferred to the following
Department of Justice camps: Sand Island detention facility (Honolulu Harbor, Hawaii); Fort Sam Houston (San Antonio, Texas);
Lordsburg Internment Camp (Camp Lordsburg, New Mexico); Santa Fe Internment Camp (Santa Fe, New Mexico). Hoshida was separated
from his wife and family during the first two years of his incarceration.

Hoshida’s wife and daughters initially remained in Hawaii but they were sent to the Jerome War Relocation Center in Arkansas
with the hopes of reuniting the family. Their daughter, Taeko, was severely disabled and remained institutionalized in Hawaii.
Sadly, she died in Hawaii before the family was able to return. Once Hoshida was reunited with his family in Jerome they were
transferred to Gila River. The Hoshida family returned to Hilo after the war in 1945. Hoshida moved to Los Angeles with his
wife and daughter, Carole, in 1959 where he worked as a deputy clerk in the municipal court. Their other daughters, June and
Sandra, would later join the family. Hoshida returned to Hawaii after his retirement, where he wrote and published an autobiography
entitled Life of a Japanese Immigrant Boy in Hawaii.

Hoshida passed away in 1985.

Scope and Content of Collection

This collection provides insight into the daily lives of a separated family during World War II. It contains letters between
Hoshida and his family, letters to and from government officials, drawings made by Hoshida illustrating camp life, and government
documents.

Letters written by Hoshida to his wife illustrate life at Justice Department Camps while Tamae’s letters highlight their daily
struggles of life without her husband as she remained in Hilo and later lived in Jerome. Hoshida’s love of drawing comes out
in letters to his family in which he makes humorous portraits for his daughters and sketches of his living conditions for
his wife. Letters in 1943 emphasize the family’s struggle to be reunited after Tamae and the children relocate to Jerome.
The collection is largely letters between the immediate Hoshida family but also includes letters between a variety of family
members,friends, and government officials.

Hoshida cultivated a life-long interest in drawing during his incarceration. He filled notebooks with drawings and watercolors
of his time behind barbed wire. His artwork includes portraits of his family as well as his fellow inmates, depictions of
daily activities, and landscapes of the surrounding environment. His sketches continue once reunited with his family, portraying
Gila River activities.

Additionally, the collection includes government documents that portray regulations applicable to Japanese American internees
as well as civilians in the Territory of Hawaii. Many of the documents relate to the Evacuations Claims Act of July 2, 1948.
Petitions filed by George and other Hawaiian internees separated form loved ones provide insight into the drawn out legal
processes involved in transfers to bring families together.

Arrangement

Items have been arranged chronologically when applicable with undated materials at the end of each series.

Series 1 : Correspondence

Subseries 1: Personal

Subseries 2: Government

Series 2: Government Documents

Subseries 1: Interment Camps

Subseries 2: Territory of Hawaii

Subseries 3: Regulations and Instructions

Series 3: Legal Documents

Subseries 1: Claims

Subseries 2: Petitions

Series 4: Miscellaneous

Subseries 1: Notes

Subseries 2: Press Clippings

Subseries 3: Forms

Series 5: Sketches

Subseries 1: Sketches by George Hoshida

Subseries 2: Sketches by Others

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.

Hoshida, George, 1907-1985

Japanese Americans

water color painting

drawings and graphics

World War II

Japanese Americans--Evacuation and relocation, 1942-1945.

Kilauea Military Camp (Hawaii)

Sand Island U.S. Army Internment Camp (Hawaii)

Santa Ana Army Air Base (Calif.)

Fort Sam Houston (Tex.)

Lordsburg Internment Camp (N.M.)

Santa Fe Internment Camp (N.M.)

Justice Department Camps, Santa Fe

Jerome Relocation Center (Ark.)

Gila River Relocation Center

Related Material

97.106, George Hoshida Drawings. Digital Surrogates are available on the Japanese American National Museum’s Website.

NRC.2005.95.1, Life of a Japanese Immigrant Boy in Hawai'i by George Hoshida.

Collection Contents

Correspondence,1942-1956

Physical Description: 0.50 linear feet

Personal,1958-1993

Physical Description: 25 folders

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

This series primarily contains correspondence between George Hoshida and his wife, Tamae, while they were separated. The letters
span his time at Kilauea Detention Camp, Sand Island Detention Camp, Fort Sam Houston Justice Department Camp with most letters
sent during Hoshida's time at the Lordsburg Internment Camp in New Mexico. He writes to Tamae while the family remains in
Hilo, Hawaii and throughout their move to Jerome Relocation Center in Denson, Arkansas. There are also letters to and from
his daughters (June and Sandra), brother (Raymond), and others.

Box 1 Folder 1

1942 February

Physical Description: 6 items

Scope and Content Summary

5 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida from George Hoshida in Kilauea Military Camp. 1 envelope without the corresponding letter
addressed to Tamae Hoshida c/o Hilo Electric Company.

Box 1 Folder 2

1942 March

Physical Description: 8 items

Scope and Content Summary

8 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida from George Hoshida in Kilauea Military Camp. Letter dated 1942 March 18 discusses the news
of Tamae's pregnancy.

Box 1 Folder 3

1942 April 1-15

Physical Description: 8 items

Scope and Content Summary

6 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida and 3 letters sent to June Hoshida from George Hoshida in Kilauea Military Camp. Letter dated
1942 April 2 includes a caroon of George to his daughter and letter dated 1942 April 15 includes cursive practice for her.

Box 1 Folder 4

1942 April 17-28

Physical Description: 7 items

Scope and Content Summary

4 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida and 3 letters sent to June Hoshida from George Hoshida in Kilauea Military Camp. Letters to
June include a cartoon of the family and a drawing of "daddy singing".

Box 1 Folder 5

1942 May

Physical Description: 14 items

Scope and Content Summary

6 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida, 1 letter sent to June Hoshida, and 1 letter sent to [Sandra] Hoshida from George Hoshida.
Also includes 5 letters sent from Tamae Hoshida and 1 letter from June Hoshida to George Hoshida. George Hoshida was being
transferred to Sand Island during this period. Letter dated 1942 May 6 includes a drawing of June and Sandra holding hands.

Box 1 Folder 6

1942 June

Physical Description: 4 items

Scope and Content Summary

4 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida from George Hoshida written during his transfer to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas
and Lordsburg, New Mexico.

Box 1 Folder 7

1942 July

Physical Description: 8 items

Scope and Content Summary

2 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida and 1 letter sent to June Hoshida from George Hoshida. Includes 1 envelope to Tamae Hoshida
without corresponding letter. Also includes 1 letter to George Hoshida from Tamae Hoshida, 1 letter to George Hoshida from
his brother Raymond, and 1 letter to Tamae Hoshida from Edwin T. Ching of the Territory of Hawaii Department of Institutions
with an update on their daughter. Letters send during George Hoshida's incarceration at Lordsburg, New Mexico.

Box 1 Folder 8

1942 August

Physical Description: 9 items

Scope and Content Summary

3 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida from George Hoshida. 3 letters from Tamae Hoshida, 1 letter from June Hoshida, and 1 letter
from Raymond Hoshida sent to George Hoshida. Letter dated 1942 August 31 from Tamae Hoshida tells George Hoshida that their
neighbor's dog "Fly" has volunteered for the United States Army. Also includes a Western Union telegram from George Hoshida
to Tamae Hoshida telling her not to repatriate.Letters sent during George Hoshida's incarceration at Lordsburg, New Mexico.

Box 1 Folder 9

1942 September

Physical Description: 14 items

Scope and Content Summary

5 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida and 3 letters sent to June Hoshida from George Hoshida. 1 letter from June Hoshida, 1 letters
from Raymond Hoshida, and 3 letters from Tamae Hoshida sent to George Hoshida. Letter dated 1942 September 25 from Tamae Hoshida
discusses the upcoming delivery of their child. Letters sent during George Hoshida's incarceration at Lordsburg, New Mexico.

Box 1 Folder 10

1942 October

Physical Description: 14 items

Scope and Content Summary

7 letters and 1 telegram sent to Tamae Hoshida from George Hoshida. The telegram confirms that he will not repatriate and
is healthy. Two birthday cards sent to George Hoshida from his daughters and Tamae. 3 letters sent to George Hoshida from
Tamae Hoshida with an update about the delivery of their daughter, Carole. 1 telegram from Richi Takemoto announcing the birth
of their daughter. Letters sent during George Hoshida's incarceration at Lordsburg, New Mexico.

Box 1 Folder 11

1942 November

Physical Description: 12 items

Scope and Content Summary

7 letters written to Tamae Hoshida and 1 letter written to Raymond Hoshida from George Hoshida. 3 letters sent to George Hoshida
from Tamae Hoshida. Letters sent during George Hoshida's incarceration in Lordsburg, New Mexico.

Box 1 Folder 12

1942 December

Physical Description: 5 items

Scope and Content Summary

4 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida and 1 letter sent to Richi Takemoto from George Hoshida. Letters sent during George Hoshida's
incarceration at Lordsburg, New Mexico.

Box 1 Folder 13

1943 January

Physical Description: 9 items

Scope and Content Summary

1 telegram and 3 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida from George Hoshida. 1 telegram and 2 letters sent to George Hoshida from Tamae
Hoshida. 1 telegram sent to Richi Takemoto. 1 letter sent to Raymond Hoshida from George Hoshida. Letters contain primarily
updates regarding the family's move from Hilo, Hawaii to Jerome, Arkansas. Letters sent during George Hoshida's incarceration
in Lordsburg, New Mexico.

Box 1 Folder 14

1943 February

Physical Description: 15 items

Scope and Content Summary

9 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida in Jerome, Arkansas from George Hoshida. 7 letters sent to George Hoshida in Lordsburg, New
Mexico from Tamae Hoshida.

Box 1 Folder 15

1943 March

Physical Description: 15 items

Scope and Content Summary

9 letters and 1 telegram sent to Tamae Hoshida in Jerome, Arkansas from George Hoshida. Telegram informs Tamae to be ready
to move soon. 4 letters sent to George Hoshida in Lordsburg, New Mexico from Tamae Hoshida. 1 letter sent to George Hoshida
from his niece, Kazuma.

Box 1 Folder 16

1943 April

Physical Description: 20 items

Scope and Content Summary

9 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida in Jerome, Arkansas from George Hoshida. 6 letters sent to George Hoshida in Lordsburg, New
Mexico from Tamae Hoshida. 1 draft letter intended for George Hoshida's niece, Kazuma. 2 letters sent to June Hoshida in Jerome,
Arkansas from George Hoshida. 1 letter to Tamae Hoshida from Edward T. Ching of the Territory of Hawaii Department of Institutions
with an update on their daughter, Taeko. 1 letter sent to George Hoshida in Japanese from an unknown sender.

Box 1 Folder 17

1943 May

Physical Description: 16 items

Scope and Content Summary

11 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida in Jerome, Arkansas from George Hoshida. 4 letters sent to George Hoshida in Lordsburg, New
Mexico from Tamae Hoshida. 1 letter sent to Harry S. Kawabe in Crystal City, Texas from George Hoshida.

Box 1 Folder 18

1943 June

Physical Description: 9 items

Scope and Content Summary

7 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida in Jerome, Arkansas from George Hoshida. 1 letter to T. Takemoto from George Hoshida. 1 letter
to June Hoshida in Jerome, Arkansas from George Hoshida.

Box 1 Folder 19

1943 July

Physical Description: 9 items

Scope and Content Summary

8 letters to Tamae Hoshida in Jerome, Arkansas from George Hoshida. 1 letter sent to George Hoshida from J.L Kavanagh of Occidental
Life Insurance.

Box 1 Folder 20

1943 August

Physical Description: 13 items

Scope and Content Summary

11 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida in Jerome, Arkansas from George Hoshida. 1 letter sent to George Hoshida in Lordsburg, New
Mexico from the Bank of Hawaii.

Box 1 Folder 21

1943 September

Physical Description: 10 items

Scope and Content Summary

7 letters to Tamae Hoshida in Jerome Arkansas from George Hoshida. 1 receipt from the United States Post Office sent to Tamae
Hoshida. 1 letter sent to George Hoshida in Lordsburg, New Mexico from Tamae Hoshida with an update on his parole.

Box 1 Folder 22

1943 October

Physical Description: 9 items

Scope and Content Summary

6 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida in Jerome, Arkansas from George Hoshida. 2 letters sent to June Hoshida in Jerome, Arkansas
from George Hoshida.

Box 1 Folder 23

1943 November

Physical Description: 7 items

Scope and Content Summary

6 letters to Tamae Hoshida in Jerome Arkansas sent from George Hoshida in Lordsburg, New Mexico. 1 receipt for an insured
parcel sent to Tamae Hoshida.

Box 1 Folder 24

1944-1950

Physical Description: 2 items

Scope and Content Summary

1 letter dated 1944 May 2 to George Hoshida from the Bank of Hawaii with information about his accounts. 1 letter sent in
1950 from Kango Kawasaki about an upcoming hearing.

Box 1 Folder 25

Undated

Physical Description: 5 items

Scope and Content Summary

Miscellaneous envelopes and stationery. 1 telegram from George Hoshida en route to Jerome to Tamae Hoshida.

Government,1943-1956

Physical Description: 8 folders

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

These are letters primarily between Tamae Hoshida and
government officials while she tried to speed up George’s upcoming parole and have him transferred to Jerome with his family.

Box 1 Folder 26

1943 March

Physical Description: 6 items

Scope and Content Summary

3 letters sent from Tamae Hoshida to various United States officials recounting her evacuation to Jerome, Arkansas with the
hopes of reuniting with her husband. The letters continue to describe her physical disability to explain why she needs him
with the family. 3 acknowledgement letters sent to Tamae Hoshida in regards to her petition for family reunion.

Box 1 Folder 27

1943 April-June

Physical Description: 7 items

Scope and Content Summary

7 letters sent to Tamae or George Hoshida regarding his recommendations for parole.

Box 1 Folder 28

1943 July-September

Physical Description: 12 items

Scope and Content Summary

7 letters about George Hoshida's approved parole and upcoming family reunion as well as copies of letters from other internees
about their parole petitions.

Box 1 Folder 29

1943 October

Physical Description: 11 items

Scope and Content Summary

Letters regarding George's parole and request for a family relocation center. Copies of letters containing parole petitions
from other internees at Lordsburg.

Box 1 Folder 30

1943 November

Physical Description: 10 items

Scope and Content Summary

Letters from Kango Kawasaki, representative of 11 internees from Hawaii seeking parole to be reunited with their families.

Box 1 Folder 31

1943 December

Physical Description: 9 items

Scope and Content Summary

Letters regarding the 11 Hawaiian internees seeking parole to be reunited with their families.

1 postcard and 1 letter sent to Evacuation Claimants regarding their settlements. 1 typed envelop to Edward J. Ennis from
George Hoshida with no accompanying letter.

Government Documents,

Physical Description: 7 folders

Internment Camp,

Physical Description: 2 folders

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

This subseries consists of official documents for George and Tamae Hoshida relating to camp life and life immediately following
camp.

Box 2 Folder 1

Physical Description: 6 items

Scope and Content Summary

One permit to purchase gasoline, a sample check from the Lordsburg Custodian Office, two hospital visitor passes for George
Hoshida, and travel/residence photo identification cards for both George and Tamae Hoshida.

Box 2 Folder 2

Physical Description: 1 items

Scope and Content Summary

A list of internees and their families from Hawaii.

Territory of Hawaii,

Physical Description: 1 folder

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

Official memorandums and documents from the Territory of Hawaii.

Box 2 Folder 3

Physical Description: 4 item

Scope and Content Summary

One general license under Executive Order8389, one memorandum to all persons having use of funds of internees, one order that
all persons are prohibited from entering the Territory of Hawaii under provisions of Executive Order 9066 and Executive Order
9489, Tamae Hoshida's photo identification for the Territory of Hawaii.

Regulations,

Physical Description: 4 folders

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

Formal ordinances, regulations, and memorandums put out by the United States government relating to behavioral expectations
of iternees and general procedures.

Box 2 Folder 4

Physical Description: 2 items

Scope and Content Summary

Two copies of a treasury notification to civilian internees about blocking assets and instructions.

Box 2 Folder 5

Physical Description: 1 items

Scope and Content Summary

Regulations for internee leaders.

Box 2 Folder 6

Physical Description: 1 items

Scope and Content Summary

One ordinance to define and regulate offenses in the Jerome Relocation Center.

Box 2 Folder 7

Physical Description: 1 items

Scope and Content Summary

Alien Address Report Notices.

Legal Documents,

Physical Description: 5 folders

Claims,

Physical Description: 2 folders

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

Legal claims initiated by George Hoshida against the United States Government under the Evacuations Claims Act of July 2,
1942.

Box 2 Folder 8

Physical Description: 1 item

Scope and Content Summary

One claim by George Hoshida related to the Evacuations Claims Act of July 2, 1943.

Box 2 Folder 9

Physical Description: 4 items

Scope and Content Summary

Two Evacuations Claims Compromise Settlement Award Sheets, a letter from the Claims Division regarding the Award Sheets, and
a notice of settlement claim.

Petitions,

Physical Description: 3 folders

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

Petitions filed by George Hoshida and 10 other Hawaiian internees to be paroled and reunited with their families, who were
in different camps.

Box 2 Folder 10

Physical Description: 1 item

Scope and Content Summary

Five page carbon copy of the petition sent to Lloyd H. Jensen regarding the 10 Hawaiian-Japanese men separated from their
families (in Jerome).

Box 2 Folder 11

Physical Description: 1 item

Scope and Content Summary

10 page carbon copy of the petition to transfer Hawaiian-Japanese DOJ prisoners to be with their families at family internment
camps created by Kango Kawasaki, their spokesman.

Box 2 Folder 12

Physical Description: 2 items

Scope and Content Summary

Second copy of petition filed by Kango Kawasaki and one blank petition form for family reunion.

Miscellaneous,

Physical Description: 4 folders

Notes,

Physical Description: 2 folders

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

Handwritten notes by George Hoshida covering a range of subjects but primarily focused on Hawaiian internees and family renuions.

Box 2 Folder 13

Physical Description: 1 item

Scope and Content Summary

Three pages of notes containing family reunion records for Lordsburg group.

Box 2 Folder 14

Physical Description: 1 item

Scope and Content Summary

Three pages of notes by George Hoshida included a draft affidavit, notes on his properties, and marital status.

Press Clippings,

Physical Description: 1 folder

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

Various press clippings and advertisements collected by George Hoshida.

Box 2 Folder 15

Physical Description: 5 items

Scope and Content Summary

Includes World's Greatest Books advertisement, two Japanese language articles, one article titled "Disloyal Japanese Will
Leave Amache: Nearly Two Hundred Will Be Shipped From Colorado Camp to Coast Center For Probable Repatriation in Nippon",
and an article titled "Sketches From Camp" featuring reproductions of George's artwork.

Forms,

Physical Description: 1 folder

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

Various Japanese language forms collected by George Hoshida.

Box 2 Folder 16

Physical Description: 2 items

Scope and Content Summary

1 blank form requested basic information. 1 form filled out by George Hoshida. Information included is his profession, address,assets,
mortgage information, and family information (children's names and age). Dated 1942 February 6.

Sketches,

Physical Description: 6 folders

Sketches by George Hoshida,

Physical Description: 5 folders

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

Sketches made by George Hoshida focusing on camp life and portraits of fellow internees.

Box 2 Folder 17

1942

Physical Description: 1 item

Scope and Content Summary

One pencil sketch of a woman's profile. Dated 1942 April 22.

Box 2 Folder 18

1943

Physical Description: 2 items

Scope and Content Summary

The first sketch contains multiple portraits. On the front of the page the upper ink sketch is labeled: Mama, 12-20-43; 8:45
p.m.; at Jerome R.C. It is of a woman looking straight ahead with her hair up. She is wearing glasses. The bottom sketch is
of a young girl looking down labeled [Mitsue].The back of the page is a sketch titled Mama's daily war clothes. It is of a
woman standing with a bucket in her hand. She is wearing a jacket and slacks with a scarf over her head. She is wearing glasses.
It is labeled 1-14-44 8AM Jerome R.C. The second sketch is of George's daughters Sandra and Carole. Both are labeled underneath
the sketch and dated 1-14-44.

Box 2 Folder 19

1944

Physical Description: 8 items

Scope and Content Summary

1 ink sketch of Tamae feeding Carole, dated 1-14-44 at 8 AM. 1 full page sketch of the outdoor theater at Gila River. 1 ink
sketch of a man rolling dough. 1 sketch of three men- Mr. Hiraga, Chef Sagara, and Mr. Tankamoto- working in the mess hall
kitchen. 1 sketch of the southwest view of Gila River with a very rough sketch of the west view on the back. 1 ink sketch
of the south view of Gila River with barracks and trucks in the background. The back of the page is a sketch of the entrace
to Gilar River (Butte Camp). 1 rough sketch of the north-west view of Gila River. The back of the page is a west view of
Gila Rivers with barracks and mountains.1 ink sketch featuring small portraits of six men- Sato, Mr. Yusa, Mr. Nakamura, Mr.
[Morooka], Mr. [Hontu], and Mr. Goto.

Box 2 Folder 20

1945

Physical Description: 6 items

Scope and Content Summary

1 ink sketch of a meeting held at Gila River to explain resettlement.1 sketch looking out from Gila River featuring foliage,
some buildings, and two outlines of men on horses. The back of the page is a sketch of Tamae and their daughters having a
picnic. 1 ink sketch of the outdoor kabuki theater in Gila River with actors on stage. 1 ink sketch of people having a picnic
with mountains in the background.On the back of the page are two portraits- Susumu [Haseguara] and his brother, Stanley.1
sketch labeled: Special Block Meeting 8-22-45, Gila Rel. Center. The sketch is seven portraits of men with some labeled. Identified
men are Mr. Suzuki (Block Mayor), Mr. Sato, Mr. Nakamura, Mr. Kato, and Mr. Komai. On the back of the page there are more
sketches.1 sketch of the mess hall kitche for George Hoshida's block in Gila River.

Box 2 Folder 21

Undated

Physical Description: 1 item

Scope and Content Summary

1 unidentified portrait of a man.

Sketches by Others,

Physical Description: 1 folder

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

Two hand-drawn calendars with sketches by an unknown artist.

Box 2 Folder 22

Undated

Physical Description: 2 items

Scope and Content Summary

Illustrated pages from a 1944 calendar for the months of December and June.